Slovakia completes first overhaul of AAF Mi-17V-5 helicopter

Slovak aircraft repair company Trencín (LOTN) has completed the first general overhaul of an AAF Mi-17V-5 helicopter under a contract awarded in 2016. Source: Slovak MoD

Slovak aircraft repair company Trenčín (LOTN) has completed the first general overhaul of an Afghan Air Force (AAF) Mil Mi-17V-5 transport/utility helicopter under a contract awarded in 2016 through NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), the Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in a 2 August statement.

The overhauled platform made its first test flight in Slovakia as part of the first stage of the handover process, with the second stage taking place in Afghanistan after the helicopter was returned in late July.

Further deliveries of overhauled Mi-17V-5s to the AAF are expected to take place in 2019, according to the MoD.

The latest development comes after Australia announced during the 11/12 July NATO Leaders’ Summit in Brussels that it will continue to fund the sustainment of the AAF’s current fleet of Mi-17 helicopters through the Afghan National Army Trust Fund as the service transitions its helicopter fleet to the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.

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